Take a nap on a giant Lily pad, flutter with the butterflies, stroll gently on the Japanese garden path, chat with the animals and take a break for lunch…all in a days worth of adventure filled with endless possibilities at Como Zoo and Conservatory in Saint Paul.
This zoo and conservatory shouts “PICNIC LUNCH” but if you’re short on time the Zöbota Café is a great alternative. This indoor café, located in the Visitor Center, features chef specials, hand-tossed salads, unique grilled sandwiches, Muddy Paws Cheesecake and Caribou Coffee. Zöbota Café also offers a free wireless Internet connection to their customers. We enjoyed the black bean vegetarian burger.
Auntie Kelly took Nishad on the Merry-Go-Round; Which he always looks forward to going on when we visit Como. This was the first time he sat on his own horse, without me holding on to him. He did great! Kelly and I had fun breaking out in song from the instrumental music that played on the Merry-Go-Round. “Rain Drops Keep Fallin‘ on My Head” and “Down-town.” Now, that’s good Merry-Go-Round music!
Our visit to the zoo and conservatory was part two of our birthday celebration for Auntie Kelly! Though her birthday was in May, we wanted to celebrate her trip around the sun in person. Our morning began with a visit to The French Meadow Bakery and Cafe in Minneapolis. Auntie Kelly and I had the vegetarian breakfast burrito and Nishad had the organic (vegetarian fed) scrambled eggs and toast, made from bread without yeast in it.
After we were fueled up, we had a slight detour. A Chicago native, I have issues with all the numbers associated with the freeways in Minnesota. Can’t we just give them all names? Maybe I should start naming them? It would be so much easier!